During this chapter, Odysseus reveals his identity to King Alcinous and the Phaecians and describes the sequence of events that lead to his arrival to Phaecia. Odysseus says that after raiding the Ciconian city Ismarus, his ships traveled past Malea and Cythera (which are the last points of his journey that can be found on a map). Odysseus and his ships land on a rugged island inhabited by mountain goats off the coast of the Cyclopes' country. Odysseus sets out with twelve men to introduce himself to the creature, Cyclops, who lives on the island. They spot a cave along the shore of the island, and go inside bearing gifts for the owner. Upon entering the cave, Odysseus and his men see flocks of sheep and goats inside the cave along with baskets of cheeses. The Achaean men eat Cyclops' cheeses and make an offering to the gods before the he returns. When Cyclops gets back to his cave, he blocks the entrance with a massive stone rock, trapping Odysseus and his men in the cave. Cyclops spots the men, and after asking them a series of questions regarding the whereabouts of their ship and how they arrived at his cave, eats two of Odysseus' men. The following day, Cyclops asks Odysseus his name, to which Odysseus replies "Nobody" before Cyclops passes out ,inebriated, after having wine Odysseus acquired from Maron, a priest in Ismarus. Whilst Cyclops is asleep, Odysseus heats up an olive stake, and drives it into Cyclops only eye. Neighbors hear Cyclops' shrieks, and ask the Cyclops why he is yelling. Cyclops tells them that " it's Nobody's treachery, not violence, that is doing me to death", which they think means that he is sick. Odysseus and his men escape the cave by tying themselves underneath the rams. When Odysseus tells Cyclops his real name, Cyclops prays to his father, Poseidon, that Odysseus will never be allowed to reach home, and that if he Odysseus must reach home, that it be in a time of turmoil at his home, and in a foreign ship after all his comrades have been killed.
What is the first thing that Odysseus reveals to Alcinous? (Ali)
He first reveals to Alcinous, his identity.
What happened on Ismarus? (Ali)
Odysseus and his men destroyed the city where the Cicones lived and Odysseus had recommended that they leave but his men were selfish and stay to drink and eat but meanwhile the Cicones grouped together neighbors to fight back and they were trained on chariot and foot. They attacked his army and gained the upper hand where they killed six of Odysseus' comrades while the rest of them retreated away.
What happens if you eat the lotus fruit? (Ali)
You begin to become consumed with the fruit and want to eat nothing but it and do not think about the important things such as, in Odysseus' comrades case, about getting back home.
What lives on the island next to the Cyclopes? (Ali)
Grazing goats that go undisturbed.
What does the Cyclops do when he enters the cave? (Ali)
He puts down his wood to burn and continues to tend to his goats and other duties in his home before he even addresses them.
How does the Cyclops treat Odysseus and his men? (Madi)
Takes the men, drags them on the ground and eats them.
What does the Cyclops do after hearing about Poseidon’s actions? (Madi)
Eats his men.
Why can’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops? (Madi)
Because the bolder he put in front of the door, he couldn't move it.
What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is? (Madi)
Nobody
What “gift” does the Cyclops give to Odysseus? (Madi)
Eat all of his men first and then eat
him. him last.
What do the men do to Polyphemus? (Angelina)
They stab out his eye.
How do Odysseus and his men escape? (Angelina)
They tie themselves to the bottom of the rams.
What was the prophecy that Telemus made to Polyphemus? (Angelina)
He said that a man named Odysseus will rob him of his sight.
What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon to for? (Angelina)
That he would have troubles reaching home and that he would get there after his friends die.
Chapter 9 - The Cyclops
Summary: (Caroline)
During this chapter, Odysseus reveals his identity to King Alcinous and the Phaecians and describes the sequence of events that lead to his arrival to Phaecia. Odysseus says that after raiding the Ciconian city Ismarus, his ships traveled past Malea and Cythera (which are the last points of his journey that can be found on a map). Odysseus and his ships land on a rugged island inhabited by mountain goats off the coast of the Cyclopes' country. Odysseus sets out with twelve men to introduce himself to the creature, Cyclops, who lives on the island. They spot a cave along the shore of the island, and go inside bearing gifts for the owner. Upon entering the cave, Odysseus and his men see flocks of sheep and goats inside the cave along with baskets of cheeses. The Achaean men eat Cyclops' cheeses and make an offering to the gods before the he returns. When Cyclops gets back to his cave, he blocks the entrance with a massive stone rock, trapping Odysseus and his men in the cave. Cyclops spots the men, and after asking them a series of questions regarding the whereabouts of their ship and how they arrived at his cave, eats two of Odysseus' men. The following day, Cyclops asks Odysseus his name, to which Odysseus replies "Nobody" before Cyclops passes out ,inebriated, after having wine Odysseus acquired from Maron, a priest in Ismarus. Whilst Cyclops is asleep, Odysseus heats up an olive stake, and drives it into Cyclops only eye. Neighbors hear Cyclops' shrieks, and ask the Cyclops why he is yelling. Cyclops tells them that " it's Nobody's treachery, not violence, that is doing me to death", which they think means that he is sick. Odysseus and his men escape the cave by tying themselves underneath the rams. When Odysseus tells Cyclops his real name, Cyclops prays to his father, Poseidon, that Odysseus will never be allowed to reach home, and that if he Odysseus must reach home, that it be in a time of turmoil at his home, and in a foreign ship after all his comrades have been killed.
Major Themes: (Breana)
page 115- hospitalitypage 112- loyality
page 119- homeric hero
page 124- loyality
page 119- disguise
Locations Traveled: (Charlotte)
Ismarus and The Cyclops' Cave.
Study Guide Questions:
What is the first thing that Odysseus reveals to Alcinous? (Ali)
He first reveals to Alcinous, his identity.
What happened on Ismarus? (Ali)
Odysseus and his men destroyed the city where the Cicones lived and Odysseus had recommended that they leave but his men were selfish and stay to drink and eat but meanwhile the Cicones grouped together neighbors to fight back and they were trained on chariot and foot. They attacked his army and gained the upper hand where they killed six of Odysseus' comrades while the rest of them retreated away.
What happens if you eat the lotus fruit? (Ali)
You begin to become consumed with the fruit and want to eat nothing but it and do not think about the important things such as, in Odysseus' comrades case, about getting back home.
What lives on the island next to the Cyclopes? (Ali)
Grazing goats that go undisturbed.
What does the Cyclops do when he enters the cave? (Ali)
He puts down his wood to burn and continues to tend to his goats and other duties in his home before he even addresses them.
How does the Cyclops treat Odysseus and his men? (Madi)
Takes the men, drags them on the ground and eats them.
What does the Cyclops do after hearing about Poseidon’s actions? (Madi)
Eats his men.
Why can’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops? (Madi)
Because the bolder he put in front of the door, he couldn't move it.
What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is? (Madi)
Nobody
What “gift” does the Cyclops give to Odysseus? (Madi)
Eat all of his men first and then eat
him. him last.
What do the men do to Polyphemus? (Angelina)
They stab out his eye.
How do Odysseus and his men escape? (Angelina)
They tie themselves to the bottom of the rams.
What was the prophecy that Telemus made to Polyphemus? (Angelina)
He said that a man named Odysseus will rob him of his sight.
What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon to for? (Angelina)
That he would have troubles reaching home and that he would get there after his friends die.